Building Resilience is the title of this year’s annual Forestry Conference (October 12) hosted by the CLA, Grown in Britain (GiB) and the Forestry Commission and how we improve resilience is something that will always occupy the minds of those involved in forestry but at this particular point in time it is a more challenging question than ever before.
We find ourselves in the wonderful situation where UK forestry, in terms of woodland creation, managing existing woods and timber supply chains, is under the spotlight. The societal benefits are better understood and valued, the contribution towards mitigating climate change is backed by government policy and funding and the demand for UK timber is growing as manufacturing and construction look to replace the unsustainable with the circular.
And yet, as the opportunities grow, so too do the challenges and the question of resilience has to be addressed amongst all the positive steps we take. Resilience of our new and existing woodlands to thrive in the face of climate change, pests and diseases and fire; the resilience of our timber supply chains impacted by Covid, the war in Ukraine and escalating demand; and the resilience of the people on the ground, in an industry that is stretched thin in its attempts to take advantage of these opportunities.
So what are we doing at Grown in Britain to make a difference?
As well as certifying forests and timber supply chains, GiB has an R&D programme, the purpose of which is to drive demand for UK timber at all stages in the chain, from forestry through to processing.
This year we have been lucky enough to secure support from the Forestry Commission and Heritage Lottery Fund for a number of exciting R&D projects.
The first is in construction, working with curtain walling manufacturer, Scandinavian Timber (yes, you read that right!). Based in Gloucestershire, Scandinavian Timber originally imported the timber for its projects but now, due to emerging quality issues, it is switching to GiB timber for its high end curtain walling.
This project will build and test the use of laminated ash, sweet chestnut, thermally modified timber and oak on the internal and external faces of curtain walls. Thereby replacing both imported timbers and unsustainable aluminium with home-grown replacements. The project is also aiming for zero waste over a three-year period, through improved efficiencies in laminating. Watch out for the first news instalment on this project during Grown in Britain Week this October 10-16.
Second is a project that will deliver a new supply chain for ash boards and ash plywood to develop a range of GiB furniture with ercol, the iconic British furniture brand. A family-run business established over 100 years ago in Buckinghamshire, the name ercol is synonymous with its signature mid-century collections as well as an award-winning portfolio of contemporary ranges crafted for modern living. The company remains true to founder Lucian Ercolani’s principles, which unites each piece; that it should be well designed and beautifully made. 2023 will see the first GiB timber being used to craft chairs and tables at ercol in a fitting tribute to our beleaguered ash trees.
We are also delighted to be working with GiB certificate holders, the National Trust (NT) in the north-west and West Midlands to engage local woodland owners and processors, to maximise the use of home-grown timber on the NT estate. Starting with fencing in year one and expanding into tables, benches, recycling bins and the like, the NT will provide a ready market for local timber species such as sweet chestnut, larch and Douglas fir.
Finally, a partnership with the Sylva Foundation and the Forest Canopy Foundation provides a vital opportunity to engage with landowners to bring woods into management and to increase woodland creation. The PIES (protect, improve, expand, sustain) project provides funded advice and certification to landowners who are looking to either improve their existing woodlands and/or plant new woodlands, with a view to realising a range of natural capital benefits. You can find out more at https://sylva.org.uk/ pies and expressions of interest are welcome on the website.
If you are out and about over the coming months, do come and see us at the APF where we will be joining the Arb Association on its stand (September 22-24) and also at the Forestry Conference on October 12, where GiB certificate holders can take advantage of specially discounted tickets. Now in its fifth year the Forestry Conference promises yet another packed agenda with the opportunity to network, collaborate and learn from the leading stakeholders in UK forestry. We hope to see you there.
